°µÍø¸£Àû and Lafarge combine their Asian plasterboard assets. Separately, °µÍø¸£Àû enters new growth phase with $900m of investments in new plants, capacity and acquisitions. A takeover offer for Adelaide Brighton in 2003 was thwarted due to competition concerns by the regulator.
The energy division is demerged into newly listed Origin Energy. The 'new' °µÍø¸£Àû focuses on construction and building materials under Rod Pearse's leadership.